Synchronized recording and reproducing apparatus for visual and audible actions



C W. EBELING.

SYNCHRONIZED RECORDING AND RERRODUCING APPARATUS FOR VISUAL AND AUDIBLE ACTIONS.

APPLICATION FILED 0Ec.2s, 191's. v

1,374,913. I P t nted *Apr. 19, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I Y gz oent'oo aharlesfiam liry c. w. EBELING. REPROD UCING APPARATUS FOR VI SUA L AND AUDIB APPLICATION FILED DEC.26, 1916-N SYNCHRONIZEDY RECORDING AND LE ACTIONS. Patented Apr. 19,1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ab i'or new c. w; EBELING.

SYNCHRONIZED HECORDING AND REPRODUCIN-G APPARATUS FOR VISUAL ANI) AUDIBLE ACTIONS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-261 I916.

1,374,913. I Patented Apr. 19, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

c. w. EBEE LING. SYNOHRONIZED RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS FOR VlSl JAL AND AUDIBLE ACTIONS.

1-9; 1921. SHEET 4.

APPLICATION. FILED DEC. 26' 1916- Patented Apr.

4 S H E E T S Illlllllll UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. EBELING, OF BUFFALO, NEW YQRK.

SYN CHRONIZEDRECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS FOR VISUAL AND AUDIBLE ACTIONS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 19, 1921.

Application filed December 26, 1916. Serial No. 138,817.

T 0 all whom it may concern a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Synchronized Recording and Reproducing Apparatus for Visual and Audible Actions, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in synchronized recording and reproducing apparatus for visual and audible actions, one object of the invention being. the provision of a mechanism which is adapted to be used for photographing and sound recording simultaneously, the film having indications placed thereon during the exposure of the negative film, whereby the positive film will be marked during the exposure thereof in conjunction with the negative film to leave thereon indications so that openings may be cut 'in the film or attachments be placed thereon as the case may be and the purpose of which will be presently set forth.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a mechanism which is adapted for use in connection with the photographing and recording of visual and audible actions and also in conjunction with the projecting and sound reproducing of the positive film and the sound record tablet respectively. I i

In the various synchronizing mechanisms by means of which sound reproducing machines are set in motion and maintained in. synchronism with the motion picture projector, I have found it desirable to either form openings in the film to permit of circuit closures being operated, the film acting as an insulator between the contacts and the whole permittingthe contacts to engage or permit the attachment thereto of a button or projection which is preferably made of metal so as to form a circuit closer in itself when passing the contact members or a switch upon each side of the film or to 0pera'te pivoted members by spreading them the proper time mechanicallv close the circuit through a switch to operate means as will presently appear, which will cause to be placed at the proper point upon the negative film an indication which when the film has been developed will be clearly observable thereon so that the positivefilm developed therefrom will have placed thereon at the proper point an indlcation in the form of a whiteor black mark accordin to the mark on the negative film, thus ren ering it an easy matter to either perforate the film or attach a button or projection thereto without measuring as is the present custom and running the risk of an inaccurate positioning of such device thereon. 4

With the foregoing and otherobjects in View and which will be apparent as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the peculiar combination and arrangement as hereinafter set forth and particularly claimed, the scope of the invention, permitting many detail changes of the various parts of the mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the complete apparatus, two sound recording mechanisms being illustrated.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail sectional View showing the interior of the camera and the mechanism for marking the negative film;

Fig. 3 is a detail section of film marking device.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of'a film showing one method of marking the same.

Fig. 5 is detail plan view of the transmission mechanism between. the electric motor and the'driven shaft of the present apparatus.

Fig. 6 is an electric diagramof the complete a paratus.

Fig. gis a detail view of one of the telephone system control switches.

,Fig. 8 is a cross section through one of the sound record operating mechanisms showing the sound record platform connected for Fig. 9 is a similar view of a portion there- Y of showing the sound record platform held inert. I

Fig. 10 is a detail. view of the toothed disk for establishing the connection between the halting and ,rotating mechanism for the I platform. 7

.Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a base upon which is mounted the camera 11 and the table 12.

The camerafll is also indicative of a motion picture projector but the camera is here illustrated and described to showthe complete method of photographing simultaneously with the recording of sound. Mounted upon the base 10 is the variable drive motor 13 which as shown in Fig. 4 carries the friction disk 14 which has bearing there against at all time the small friction wheel 15, splined for sliding movement upon the v shaft 16 and adjusted thereon and held in 1,255,143, dated February 5, 1918, so that the members 26 thereof may be continuously rotated by the shaft 21 and the vertical shaft 27 to be actuated through th instrumentality of the electro-magnets 28 and '29 to operate a toothed disk 30 for engagement with the stationary ratchet 31 or the ratchet 32 which is carried by the member 26, the shaft or rod 27 being operably connected at all times to the sound record tablet carried platform 33 so that when the rod 27 is engaged with the member 26 the platform 33 rotates therewith and at the same time rotates the tablet 34. Inthis instance the shaft 27, however, is held upwardly by a spring 8 and notch n forming a snap spring and notch lock by which it passes when'it is pulled downwardly, the electro-magnet 28 moving the shaft upwardly and 29 pulling it downwardly. In this way the platform 33 is connected or disconnected with the rotating disk 26.

In using the present apparatus it is not essential that the sound record tablet 34 be blank, the same being in many cases a com plete sound record which is adapted to be operated simultaneously with the photographing of the scene so that the actor or actors ma move in synchronism with the sound an thus permit of the photographing of the action after the sound record has been produced in'the usual manner. It'has been found in practice that this method is by far the best in that the actor has a greater latitude of movement than when the sound and photograph, are recorded simultaneously,.thus producing a more natural picture with the best possible sound reproduction.

which is drawn over the various reels thereinby means of the sprocket wheel 36 driven by'the shaft 21 and is exposed in the usual way, while mounted in the camera box at the proper position isa casing 37 having mount ed therein an electric light 38 having the reduced light ray projecting aperture 39 at the rear of the opaque plate 40 over which the film passesin moving from the supply chamber 41 to the receiving chamber 42. This device therefore when energized causes the projection of light against the sensitive film so that when this negative film is developed a black mark will appear. Thus when a positive film is developed from the negative film this black mark will cause a white mark to appear at the exact or proper spot upon the positive film, thus making it possible to accurately perforate the positive film or attach thereto a button or projection. This is particularly advisable in that the various circuits controlled in several patents issued to me are operated by'projections carried by the film so as to close anenergized circuit to set in motion a sound reproducing machine in conjunction with the projector or when used in conjunction with the patent issued to Harrison W. Rogers, December 25, 1917 N 0. 1,251,287.

At the proper time the lamp 38 is energized and that portion of the, film adjacent the light directing opening 39 is acted upon and in the negative film a round black mark at the proper place when the film is developed results so that the positive film will have a white spot at such point and may either be punctured to provide an opening or may have attached thereto any desired mechanism for the purpose above set forth.

Another form of film marking device is shown in Fig. 3 wherein a perforating plunger 43 is withdrawn by means of the spring 44 and is projected electrically by means of the coil 45, the plunger 43 being a soft iron member so that in conjunction with the coil 45 it provides a solenoid. This complete apparatus is mounted within the camera box adjacent the support 40 which is provided with the anvil 46 so that at the proper time when the coil 45 is energized the core 43 I will be projected so that its perforating member 47 will produce an opening in the film at the proper point. Thus when the negative is provided with an opening the positive film will beprovided with a black the shaft 21 is rotated and in consequence In the camera box is mounted the film 35 the two members 26 of the mechanisms 24 and 25 are rotated and the camera mechanism is also actuated.

The sound record 34 has previously been placed upon its platform 33 in an inert position with the stylus 48 of the transmitter 1 49 placed at the proper position upon the record 34. This is the case where the tablet 34 is a record but in recording, the same would be a soft wax tablet to receive the record impression thereof in the usual method of sound recording or as particularly set forth in the United States Patent No. 1,253,533 granted Jan. 15, 1918, to Harrison W. Rogers, and in which the sound receiving transmitters are disposed at various points around the auditorium while the device 46 corresponds to the stylus actuatingelectromagnetic controlling device shown in said patent.

In the above operation the film is moved through the camera at a normal speed and the image is impressed thereon by the usual photographic method and up to a point when it is desired to actuate the sound record or* reproducing mechanism, and at the same time light the lamp 38 or operate the coil to impress upon the moving film the desired indication for the automatic control ling device as set forth in my copending application or in several patents granted to me for "film control mechanism. The switches 50, 50, 50 and 50 are connected in pairs to alternately, yet momentarily close the circuits to the electro-magnets 28 and 29 of the respective machines 24 and 25, the contacts being in the nature of a wipe when passing and none of the switches being held in circuit closing position any length of time. This action imparts the fiashing effect in the lamp 38, the purpose 'of which will presently appear.

In order for this operation the switch 50 is momentarily closed and as it connects the battery or other source of electrical energy 51 to the coil 29 the armature 52 will be attracted and elevate the rod 27 and cause the:

platform '33 to be connected with the rotating member 26 of the mechanism 24. Thus sound will be conveyed and the actors will act according thereto so that their actions photographed upon the film will be in synchron sm with the sound reproduced by t e machine 24. 3 As soon as it is desired to silence the machine24 the switch 50' is momentarily thrown in so that the coil 28 will be energized thus attracting the armature 53'and operating the toothed disk act-uated by the rod'27 so as to connect the same to its stationary pawl and bring the platform 33 to a halt; o

The film continues photographing but no sound is reproduced until the switch 50 is again closed. As the negative marking devices 38arejin circuit with the respective coils 28 and 29 of 'bothof the machines 24 and 25, and as either coil 28 or 29 is energized only for an instant,-it is evident that the film will be simultaneously marked due to the exposure momentarily to the light rays from'the lamp 38, as the switches 50 and 50 are brought into play for operat ing the machine 24, 'or the switches 50 and 50 are brought to play for similarly controlling the coils 28 and 29 of the machine 25. The switch 50 is designed therefore toenergize the coil 29 of machine 24 while the switch 50 is designed to energize the coil 29 of machine 25, this action starting either machine in operation as desired and requiring the manipulation of either one of the switches 50 or 50*. v

Connected to the feed wires of the generator 44 through the switch 54 are the I 58 of the switch S, the contact 59, the con-' ductor 60, the right side of the transmitter 49, the-left side of the transmitter 49, the conductors 65 and 69, the contact 70, the conductors 72 and 73, the remaining member of the switch 54 and the conductor 74. In this way the current is passed through the carbon members of the transmitter 49 and the alternations or vibrations caused by the needle 48 and the phonic groove of the record causes the compression and release of such carbon or microphone members so that the receivers 63 and 67 are effected through the conductors 61 and 68, and'conductors 61', 55 and 64.

The switch S is under the control of the rod 27 so that when the coil 28 has been energized theiswitch will be opened and when the coil 29 is energized theswitch will be closed.

When va present day apparatus is operated to'expose a film and at the same time mark a sound record, the operation is somewhat similar to that above setjorth, except that the reproducers 63 and 67 are transmitting mechanisms andthe mechanism 48 is a recording mechanism nside of a transmitter, the tele hone circuit being the reverse.

The switch are compression switches and are only operated'for an instant to energize the respeces 50; and 50 and 50 and 50 tive coils 28 and 29 and consequently the film marking devices 38 and 45 are only energized for an instant at the closure of these switches. If so desired two devices 38 or 45 may be employed one to make a starting indication and the other a stoppinginv I dication upon the film. This is clearly shown in the marking of the film in Fig. 4, where the indication a is the starting indication for the machine '24 while the lower marking b is the stopping indication for such machlne.

The switches 50 and 50 and 50" and 50 may be operated either by the; photographer or the director, or the performer or the speaker who is being photographed so that the various machines 24 and 25 will be started and stopped as desired and as above stated. It is also possible to use an already made sound record so that the performer or speaker may move or talk in synchronism with the reproduction of the sound of "the record.

The coils 28 and 29 here shown are not solenoids but are electro-magnets, the core of each of which is drilled so that the rod 27 may slide therethrough and carry the respectivearmatures 52 and 53 so that the rod 27 will be reciprccated for the purpose set forth, this rod 27 being preferably made of brass or other non-magnetic metal.

What I claim as new is:

1 In an apparatus of the character described, a moving picture camera, a motor for operating the same, a plurality of sound record mechanisms, electrical means for connecting and disconnecting one of said mechanisms at a time with the motor, an electrical device'mounted in the camera and disposedto act upon the film in transit to mark stopping and starting indications upon the film, and electrical circuit controlling means for simultaneously actuating the same and for controlling the selection of the sound record mechanism.

2. In an apparatus of the character described,'the combination of a motion picture camera, a shaft connected to the mechanism thereof, a continuously rotating member also operably'connected to the said shaft, means for driving the shaft, a sound record tablet disposed in cooperation relatively to the said continuously rotating member, two

' clutch members, one of which is connected to the continuously rotating member and the other of which is stationary, a' sliding shaft, a clutch member carried'by said shaft and connected to the platform whereby the i platform is held'stationarywhen engaging the stationary clutch member and 1s connected for rotation with the rotating member when engaging its clutch member, two armatures carried by said shaft, two electromagnets for controlling said respective armatures to reciprocate the shaft and oper-. ate its clutch member, electrical means for-f selecting the electro-magnets, and electrical means mounted in the camera for placing stopping and starting indications upon the film, saidmeans being operated simulta l neously with the energization of the respective electro-magnets.

3. In an apparatus of the character dcscribed, the combination of a motion picture camera, an anvil over which'the film moves,

a solenoid mounted adjacent to the anvil f A and between which andthe anvil the film is named clutch members, a sound record plat- I form connected to the last clutch member for movement therewith, two armatures mounted upon said longitudinally slidable shaft, two electro-magnets surrounding said shaft and disposed for attracting the respective armatures whereby the shaft is reciprocated, and electrical circuits for controlling the energization and deenergization of the electro-magnets.

5.- In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a continuously rotating member, a clutch member carrled thereby, an opposed fixed clutch member, a longitudinally slidable shaft disposed concentrically of the continuously rotating member, a clutch member carried thereby for engagement with either one of the first named clutch members, a sound record platform connected to the last clutch member for movement therewith, two armatures mounted upon said longitudinally slidable shaft, two electrO -magnets surrounding said shaft and disposed for attracting the respective armatures whereby the shaft is reelectro-magnets, and a switch operably con- 1 nected to the lower end of the longitudinally slidable shaft.

. 6. The combination with a moving picture camera, a shaft operably connected thereto, means for driving the shaft, asound reproducing machine, and two electrical controlling devices one for connecting and the other for disconnecting the sound re.- roducing machine from the shaft, of means or markin the negative film during the .movementt ereof in the camera, said latter 'means being operably connected to the sound reproducing machine, whereby the film is' marked and the sound reproducing machine is started or stopped.

, In te'stimon whereof I aflix my slgnature I in presence 0 two-witnesses.

' 'CHAS, W. EBELING.

Witnessesrf EDwABD-'C-'R CHARLES 

